‘A wonderful woman’ – Fine Gael cllr pays tribute to mother-in-law who died after road collision while out erecting election posters

Theresa Clarke (70s) was seriously injured following the collision with a cyclist in Ranelagh, south Dublin, on Tuesday night of last week.

Ms Clarke is the mother-in-law of John Clendennen, a Fine Gael councillor who was elected to Offaly County Council over the weekend.

She was treated in hospital for several days before passing away in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin on Sunday surrounded by her family.

This week Mr Clendennen said that his re-election was overshadowed by the tragic passing of his mother-in-law.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, the Birr councillor paid tribute to Ms Clarke, describing her as a “tower of strength” for her family.

“She was a great woman in that regard and put her family first. It has been heartwarming to hear the stories in the past couple of days of how well she was held and the fondness for her within the community.

“She was a life-long member of Fine Gael and very active, she was a wonderful woman with a willingness to help”.

Taoiseach Simon Harris described Ms Clarke as an “integral part of the Fine Gael family” as he offered his condolences to the Clarke family.

“I spoke to Theresa’s husband Michael and John in recent days. Theresa was an integral part of the Fine Gael family. We are all devastated by her loss,” he said.

The family are appealing for anyone with information in relation to the road collision to come forward.

Ms Clarke was a former principal of Scoil Aonghusa Senior in Balrothery and was heavily involved with Fine Gael in the Dublin Bay South constituency.

She was helping to erect election posters on the evening of the collision and gardaí are continuing to investigate the fatal incident. In a statement, gardaí said that the collision involving a bicycle and Ms Clarke occurred on the Ranelagh Road at about 11pm on June 4.

Theresa Clarke is survived by her husband Michael, children Elaine, Miriam and Josephine, as well as her wider family and friends.

Her funeral will take place at St Anne’s Church, Bohernabreena, Dublin, on Thursday morning before she is laid to rest at Bohernabreena Cemetery.